Land acquisitions and changes provide more opportunities

Friday

Feb 28, 2014 at 12:01 AMFeb 28, 2014 at 12:15 AM

By Mike BarcaskeyFor The Times

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners in January approved, through purchase and other methods, the acquisition of nearly 18,000 acres of new game lands, and while most of it is a good bit north and east of Beaver County, more than 500 acres are in Allegheny, Butler and Washington counties.

A 42-acre tract in Springfield Township, Allegheny County, was donated to the commission. The tract comprises mixed northern hardwoods, reverting old fields and small forest openings. According to Land Management Group Supervisor Doug Dunkerley, this small land tract will become a separate portion of State Game Lands 203, located near Wexford. The tract is surrounded by some houses and some open land and has been hunted the last several years. It will be good for deer, rabbit, squirrel and turkey, but can be classified as an “urban hunting area.”

In Butler County, the popular State Game Lands 95 will increase by 278 acres with the addition of two parcels of mostly forested land. A tributary to the south branch of the Slippery Rock Creek and riparian areas are on the property. The game lands area adjacent to the purchase provides excellent hunting opportunities for turkey, squirrel and deer.

Nearly 200 acres were added to State Game Lands 245 in Washington County. The added land is a mix of hardwoods, woodland, agricultural fields and grassland. These three separate parcels add some great hunting to the existing game lands and are less than an hour’s drive from much of Beaver County.

It is hoped that additional pheasant stockings will take place in suitable habitat. At this time, the land management crew is short a crew member, and the new boundary markers will not be in place until the fall hunting seasons.

A reduction in the size of two propagation areas in Butler County will result in a total of 332 acres being opened to recreational use.

Propagation Area 108 surrounding the Swamp Run cove at Moraine State Park will be reduced from 386 to 161 acres. The change in boundary will increase public access, while maintaining a buffer for migrating waterfowl, especially ducks. Most of the area now open to public use is the wooded hillside surrounding the cove. There was some reduction in the open water area on the west end that will benefit fishermen. As a fisherman, this is the area that holds the most interest to me. and I am eager to explore new waters.

Jake Weiland, assistant park manager at Moraine, said the reduction “will provide more acres of access for park users. There will also be more clearly defined lines that park users can abide by.”

Weiland said that hunters, nature watchers and horse riders will all benefit the most from this reduction. “The new boundaries are in the process of being signed and should be completed by the fall hunting season.”

Meanwhile, Propa-gation Area 111 on State Game Lands 95 will be reduced from 308 to 201 acres. A buffer will be maintained around the lake to prevent harassment of nesting waterfowl, while opening access on 107 additional acres that previously were restricted.

Both propagation areas were originally established to provide a resting and nesting area primarily for geese and for other waterfowl, but are no longer needed as the goose population has increased to nuisance levels.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.